Pool cover deployment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pool cover deployment apparatus is provided. A pool cover deployment apparatus for assisting in manual overlay of a pool cover onto a surface of a pool, comprising an elongated member comprising one or more first attachment members affixed to a front side of the elongated member and one or more second attachment members affixed to a back side of the elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to a leading edge of the pool cover via one or more fasteners and the one or more first attachment members. A pulling mechanism and a means of attaching the cover to the pulling mechanism wherein the pulling mechanism is manually employed by a user such that the pool cover is extended over the pool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a pool cover deployment apparatus more specifically, but not by way of limitation, more particularly to a pool cover deployment apparatus for manual overlay of a pool cover onto a surface of a pool.

BACKGROUND

The majority of pool owners employ pool covers for reducing dirt and debris from entering the pool and for heating the pool. Typical setups for pool cover deployment and retraction involve attaching the pool cover to a roller at an end of the pool. During retraction, the user simply rotates a handle at one end of the roller until the pool cover is removed from the surface of the pool. During deployment, the user is forced to pull the leading edge of the pool cover until the pool cover is completely overlaid against the surface of the pool.

The user may accomplish this by-hand either by dragging the pool cover from within the pool or by dragging the pool cover along the perimeter of the pool. In most scenarios this can prove to be a strenuous, time consuming task and may require multiple users in order to achieve the required force to unroll the pool cover and cover the surface of the pool evenly. Dragging of the pool cover will also cause damage over time as the force is applied to drag the pool cover while be applied to an isolated area of the cover.

Alternatively, the user may accomplish deployment of the pool cover through the attachment of a rope or a similar connecting mass to the leading edge of the pool covering and employing an additional roller to furl the rope. Unfortunately, adding these systems add significant costs and maintenance, and complexity to assembly and disassembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,529 A (Wolfson Jr.) discloses a protective blanket for a solar pool cover. Shortcoming include the employment of VELCO straps used for coupling the protective blanket and solar pool cover as they are insecure and highly susceptible to wear, as well as the use of a Y-shaped leash which doesn't effectively distribute the force required to deploy the protective blanket leading strenuous deployment for the user and to damage of the protective blanket over time.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,613,116 B1 (Wood) discloses a pool cover handling device. Shortcomings include the complex assembly of the flexible pulling device to the hand-held coiling member and the configuration of the attachment of the flexible pulling device to the rotatable couplers doesn't effectively distribute the force required to deploy the pool cover handling device leading strenuous deployment for the user and to damage to the pool cover over time.

U.S. Pub. No. 2013/0019392 A1 (Egger) discloses a buoyant pool leading edge member and means of deployment. Shortcomings include the time consuming assembly and disassembly of the rigging system to the pool cover, as well as the additional weight of the hefty rigging system which adds strain to the user during deployment.

U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0209282 A1 (Considine) discloses a manual cover puller/extender. Shortcomings include a lack of distribution of tension between the connection of the pulling rope or chain and the tube, pipe or plate leading strenuous deployment for the user and to damage to the pool cover over time.

U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0281610 A1 (Stone) discloses a swimming pool covering apparatus, system and method for covering a pool. Shortcomings include the need to employ multiple units to cover multiple sections of the pool which significantly increases costs and the time required for deploying and stowing the pool cover.

All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference.

There is a need for a pool cover deployment apparatus that assists in manual overlay of the pool cover onto a surface of a pool, which is strong, lightweight, inexpensive, evenly distributes the load along the leading edge of the pool cover, is able to easily be assembled and employed by a single user inside or outside of the pool, and allows for the edge member to be covered in a buoyant material to eliminate any resistance from a submerged edge member.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It is the object of the present invention to provide a pool cover deployment apparatus. A pool cover deployment apparatus for assisting in manual overlay of a pool cover onto a surface of a pool, comprising an elongated member comprising one or more first attachment members affixed to a front side of the elongated member and one or more second attachment members affixed to a back side of the elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to a leading edge of the pool cover via one or more fasteners and the one or more first attachment members. A pulling mechanism and a means of attaching the cover to the pulling mechanism wherein the pulling mechanism is manually employed by a user such that the pool cover is extended over the pool.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an intermediate member comprising a third attachment member affixed at a first end of the intermediate member and a fourth attachment member affixed at a second end of the intermediate member. The pulling mechanism is coupled to the intermediate member, the third attachment member and the fourth attachment member.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a handle is affixed to the pulling mechanism.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the pulling mechanism is a rope.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the pulling mechanism is a strap.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the pulling mechanism is a cable.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment members, the second attachment members, the third attachment members or the fourth attachment members are eye bolts.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment members, the second attachment members, the third attachment members or the fourth attachment members are ring bolts.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment members, the second attachment members, the third attachment members or the fourth attachment members are screw eye bolts.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment members, the second attachment members, the third attachment members or the fourth attachment members are pig eye bolts.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fastener is a carabiner.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fastener is a quick link.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fastener is a cable clamp.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the pool cover is a thermal solar cover.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the elongated member is buoyant.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate member is buoyant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view 100 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view 200 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close up view 300 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system view 400 in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view 100 of a pool cover deployment apparatus as in one embodiment. The pool cover deployment apparatus is employed to assist in manual overlay of the pool cover onto a surface of a pool. The pool cover apparatus comprises an elongated member 102 comprising one or more first attachment members 104 affixed to a front side of the elongated member 102 and one or more second attachment members 106 affixed to a back side of the elongated member 102. The elongated member 102 is coupled to a leading edge of the pool cover via one or more fasteners and the one or more first attachment members 104. A pulling mechanism, shown comprising a plurality of segments 108, consists of a means of attaching the one or more second attachment members 106 to the pulling mechanism. The pulling mechanism is manually employed by a user such that the pool cover is extended over the pool.

In the embodiment shown, the segments 108 are coupled at an end of a first connection member 110 and diverge from the end. The first connection member 110 is attached to the elongated member 102 via linking the segments 108 to the second attachment members 106. In some embodiments, a handle is affixed to the end of the first connection member 110 where the segments 108 are coupled. In other embodiments, the pulling mechanism may be further extended to include an intermediate member 112 coupled to a second connection member 114.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view 200 of a pool cover deployment apparatus as in one embodiment. This embodiment displays three segments 108 which provide even distribution the load along the leading edge of the pool cover, reducing strain on the pool cover and the user. In some embodiments, heat shrink may be employed to further secure connection between the first connection member 110 and the second connection member 114 and respective attachment members and fasteners.

This embodiment details a pool cover apparatus with the extended pulling mechanism. An intermediate member 112 is shown comprising a third attachment member 202 affixed at a first end of the intermediate member 112 and a fourth attachment member 204 affixed at a second end of the intermediate member 112. The first connection member 110 is attached to the intermediate member 112 via linking the coupled segments 108 to the third attachment member 202 and a second connection member 114 attached to the intermediate member 112 via linking the second connection member 114 to fourth attachment member 204. In some embodiments, a handle is affixed to the second connection member 114.

In other embodiments the intermediate member 112 is buoyant, eliminating any potential drag or resistance from a submerged intermediate member 112 with the water during deployment of the pool cover. The addition of the intermediate member 112 provides an extension for the user for adapting to various pool designs as well as easing deployment for a single user. The intermediate member 112 also provides the user the ability to easily employ the pool cover deployment apparatus from inside or outside of the pool. In some embodiments the first connection member 110 may be a rope, a strap, a cable or any other similar lightweight, inexpensive and durable device. In some embodiments the second connection member 114 may be a rope, a strap, a cable or any other similar lightweight, inexpensive and durable device.

FIG. 3 depicts a close up view 300 of a pool cover deployment apparatus as in one embodiment. In this embodiment, the elongated member 102 is shown surrounded by a polyethylene foam 302 which allows the elongated member 102 to become buoyant. The addition of the polyethylene foam 302 to the elongated member 102 eliminates any potential drag or resistance from a submerged elongated member 102 with the water during deployment of the pool cover.

This embodiment depicts the use of eye bolts 304 as a first attachment member 104 and a second attachment member 106 of the elongated member 102. Fasteners may be further employed to the second attachment member 106, the third attachment member 202 and the fourth attachment member 204 ensure a secure attachment while providing effortless and timely assembly and disassembly. In other embodiments, any of the first attachment members 104, the second attachment members 106, the third attachment members 202 or the fourth attachment members 204 may be an eye bolt 304, a ring bolt, a screw eye bolt, a pig eye bolt or any other ring-shaped attachment tool. This embodiment also depicts the use of carabiners 306 and a cable clamp 308 as examples of fasteners. In other embodiments, quick link or any other fastener in the art may be employed for attachment of the pool cover, first connection member 110 and second connection member 114 to their respective attachment member.

FIG. 4 depicts a system view 400 of a pool cover deployment apparatus as in one embodiment. In this embodiment, a thermal solar cover 402 is shown attached to a plurality of cable clamps 308 of the pool cover deployment apparatus.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pool cover deployment apparatus for assisting in manual overlay of a pool cover onto a surface of a pool, comprising: an elongated member comprising one or more first attachment members affixed to a front side of said elongated member and one or more second attachment members affixed to a back side of said elongated member; said elongated member coupled to a leading edge of said pool cover via one or more of fasteners and said one or more first attachment members; a pulling mechanism; and a means of attaching the second attachment members to the pulling mechanism wherein the pulling mechanism is manually employed by a user such that said pool cover is extended over said pool.
 2. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein a handle is affixed to said pulling mechanism.
 3. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pulling mechanism is a rope.
 4. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pulling mechanism is a strap.
 5. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pulling mechanism is a cable.
 6. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a carabiner.
 7. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a cable clamp.
 8. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a quick link.
 9. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pool cover is a thermal solar cover.
 10. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is buoyant.
 11. The pool cover deployment apparatus from claim 1 further comprising: an intermediate member comprising a third attachment member affixed at a first end of said intermediate member and a fourth attachment member affixed at a second end of said intermediate member; and said pulling mechanism coupled to said intermediate member, said third attachment member and said fourth attachment member.
 12. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first attachment members, said second attachment members, said third attachment members or said fourth attachment members are pig eye bolts.
 13. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first attachment members, said second attachment members, said third attachment members or said fourth attachment members are eye bolts.
 14. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first attachment members, said second attachment members, said third attachment members or said fourth attachment members are ring bolts.
 15. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first attachment members, said second attachment members, said third attachment members or said fourth attachment members are screw eye bolts.
 16. The pool cover deployment apparatus of claim 11, wherein said intermediate member is buoyant. 